Global Head, Neuroscience Translational Medicine

2 Billion plus people are affected by diseases of the nervous system having a dramatic impact on patients and families around the world. Neurologic and psychiatric diseases remain as some of the largest challenges in medicine. Novartis is committed to changing the landscape by developing transformative treatments for important neuroscience disorders.- Within TM, TM Discovery & Profiling (TMDP) is a group of about 65 physicians and clinical researchers who drive that innovative science from discovery to the patient through the selection, profiling, and effective development of medicines. Translational Medicine Experts (TME’s) oversee Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials to demonstrate proof of concept in patients, creating the case for drugs to proceed to late-stage development and registration. TME’s are also responsible for Phase 3 clinical pharmacology and mechanistic studies. Overall, TM and NIBR deliver about half of the final drug dossier or label information.
- As the Global Head TM Neuroscience, you will lead a team of TME’s responsible for all early clinical development plans and studies through Proof of Concept, new disease indications, translational research and profiling activities, and clinical pharmacology studies for the Neuroscience Therapeutic Area. You will be a member of the global Translational Medicine Leadership Team, accountable for overall department goals, helping to lead continuous improvement across the department, and enhancing the culture of TM. You will also be a key bridge between NS Research and late phase development and commercial colleagues across the Neuroscience Franchise in Novartis.
- Your major accountabilities will be to:
- Set, communicate and drive strategy for the NS Translational Medicine Therapeutic Area in alignment with the broader organization
- Be accountable for setting the biomarker strategy for your group
- Prioritize and allocate resources across the team to meet portfolio needs
- Co-chair the Disease Area Decision Board with the Research Disease Area Head to decide on targets, compounds, and indications to progress from preclinical ideas to clinical testing
- Deliver clear human Proof-of-Concept study outcomes for decisions on new compounds
- Collaborate with Development colleagues to agree on Proof-of-Concept criteria and indications and on Development Decision Point criteria
- Support Translational Medicine Experts on Development teams after Proof-of-Concept to deliver clinical pharmacology and mechanistic studies
- Bring relevant internal and external opinion leaders together to consider the proposed approach to Clinical Proof-of-Concept
- Foster strong external clinical collaborations to maintain state of the art clinical approaches
- Contribute senior level expertise to Strategic Alliances, Business Development and Licensing due diligence reviews for in licensing and out licensing opportunities
- Provide or review Translational Medicine input to meetings and interactions with Health Authorities
- Develop talent pipeline through recruitment activities and being a mentor, coach, and educational resource across Novartis responsible for quality of clinical protocols, study reports and submission documents

The position can be based in Cambridge, MA USA or Basel, Switzerland. This position will require 25% travel as defined by the business (domestic and/or international).**Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion**:

- Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve._

**Minimum requirements**
- What you will bring to this role:
**Education**:
- MD or MD/PhD, or MD with doctoral thesis in relevant field (Neurology or Neuroscience)

Board certification in Neurology or related field. Subspecialty clinical training in Neurodegenerative disorders (preferred) or related subspecialty with appropriate Board Certification(s)
- Languages:
- Fluent English, strong written and oral communication skills

**Experience**:
- Leadership position in pharmaceutical/biotech industry or academic medical center combining scientific and medical subspecialty skills, maintaining state-of-the-art clinical approaches and inspiring a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and quality

Significant clinical experience with patients with Neurological diseases
- Direct basic science expertise within Neurological diseases: accomplished independent basic investigator, recognized in your field through peer-reviewed grant funding, publications and congresses
- Strategic thinker, used to creating major innovations, networking with leading investigators, presenting complex strategic issues in a clear and logical way and driving impactful outcomes
- Natural ability to manage people, and lead leaders of others; able to provide mentoring at the highest levels including those outside of your own scientific/clinical expertise
- Used to successfully supporting and impacting experts, scientists